Sports Minister rallies support for Black Stars in Parliament; gives hints of expenditure
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, is calling on Ghanaians to throw their weight fully behind the Black Stars to achieve "a memorable result" in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
He said the team’s preparation was progressing alongside a designed strategy by the government and the Ghana Football Association to ensure the utmost performance by the team.
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The minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Yagaba-Kubori Constituency in the North East Region, said beyond the cheers, Ghanaians needed to contribute financially via Mobile Money donation to cushion the team and motivate them to achieve success in Qatar.
He said Ghanaians must send their contribution via short code *899# on all mobile networks towards building strong financial muscles for the national team.
Prize money
The minister told Parliament on Friday (November 4, 2022) that if the team were to progress from the group stage to the Round of 16, Ghana's prize money would increase from $9 million to $13 million.
Subsequently, if the Black Stars make it to the quarter-final stage as they did at the 2010 tournament, the team would rake in $17 million and will be guaranteed $25million if they reach the last four of the competition.
However, if Ghana win the FIFA World Cup, the team will be paid a whopping $45 million as their prize.
Augmentation
Mr Ussif stated on the floor of Parliament that the technical handlers of the team had made plans to reinforce the squad with any qualified Ghanaian player anywhere to help them produce the needed results.
He promised Ghanaians and the corporate world that any money received on behalf of the national team for their World Cup campaign would be used judiciously.
Projected expenditure and expected prize money
- Pride of participation as part of 32 nations, tourism and investment potential, advertise Ghanaian culture, coordinated activities to market Ghana's tourism potential
- Progressing from group stage to round of 16 will increase Ghana's prize money from US$9million to US$13million
- At this stage our expenditure is likely to increase to US$8,792,600
- Progress from round of 16 to quarter final will increase prize money from US$13million to US$17 million
- At this stage Ghana’s expenditure will likely increase from US$8,792,600 to US$9,512,200
- If Ghana progress from quarter finals to last four, Ghana stands to receive US$27 million to US$42million
- At this stage, a combined expenditure for the tournament is US$14,184,100
This expenditure includes appearance fees, bonuses, per diem, flight arrangements, medical equipment, logistics and hospitality
Minority Leader
The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, expressed optimism that the Black Stars would excel and make Ghana proud in Qatar.
While commending corporate bodies, including MTN and GOIL, which had supported the national team, he said that within the context of Corporate Social Responsibility, Parliament needed to legislate on such activities to encourage corporate organisations to invest more in sports and, in particular, football.
Mr Iddrisu, who is also the MP for Tamale South, indicated that football remained the best unifier of the country which needed to be guarded jealously.
Supporters
He urged the minister to do everything necessary to aid Ghanaian supporters to be in Qatar to promote the Ghanaian culture and to motivate the players.
The Minority Leader, however, requested the minister to come back to the House to provide further clarification on the receipt of the FIFA qualification money of $1.5 million and what it was expended for.
It followed the minister's earlier statement that the money was used for the team's preparation through friendly matches played.
Mr Iddrisu said he got to know through the media that some $800,000 was used in organising the friendly matches and needed some clarification.
Majority Leader
In his contribution, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, indicated that football was not about names but the tactical and technical dispositions of the players.
He said the fact that no bad report had been received from the camp was encouraging and expressed the hope that the team would do well.
